As you've seen, you're not the only one who's afraid of public speaking. Most experienced speakers, although they will not show it and will not admit it, sometimes they also have to face a similar "enemy" - fear.
Many will deny the occasional problems, but they will turn pale, and they will have trembling hands and legs, and there will be all the signs of fear. Therefore, do not be surprised or desperate if you have fear in your head. Know that it may appear, but at the same time, know that once you start talking, the adrenaline thrown into the blood will begin to disintegrate and you will feel safer and more confident. Fear can and must be controlled. Over time, if you fight your fear with determination, it will give way to your experience and endurance. Believe me: Many people you admire today have encountered and overcome these difficulties in their time.
When the moment of your speech approaches, do not add oil to the fire of your anxiety. Avoid smoking one cigarette after another, chewing your nails, throwing one foot over another, and walking from one corner to the next - all this will only increase your tension and fuel your anxiety.
Try to move slowly, it's enough for the adrenaline in the blood to begin to disintegrate gradually. If you smoke, do not overdo it; breath evenly. If you're very excited, you may feel very uncomfortable at first, but as soon as you say the first words of your speech in a more even and confident tone, you realize that your efforts have paid off in full.
Take the correct body position and avoid clamping
Well-known psychologists have studied the meaning of gestures very well, and now we can say almost unmistakably what people feel or intend to do, not even listening to their words, but simply analyzing their body language. Gestures are usually unconscious and can give you away because if they are seen even by those who are not experienced in psychology, they will still understand what is going on inside you.
By watching your body closely, you will not only fail to show your fears but also begin to control them. When you walk in front of a group of people, make sure that your posture demonstrates that you are calm and not subject to internal hesitation. People will be interested in hearing from a speaker who is balanced and determined. Over time, you will get so used to commanding your body that you will do it automatically, gaining and radiating confidence.
Observe your behavior as well. Realize that the buttons in your jacket, pockets, chalk, sheets of paper, and microphone cord carry a certain danger. Have you noticed how many lecturers are trying to stay calm with buttons or by sticking their hands in their pockets? It is a big mistake to think that you can get rid of nervousness in this way. This can turn into a nervous tick and distract the attention of the audience, which should be constantly focused on your words.
From the very beginning, get rid of the habit of leaning on the table or podium with your elbows, hold various objects in your hands and switch from one foot to another. All these are mechanisms of care from reality, which hinder, not help. Looking at the problem of fear consciously and without confidence, you can learn to control it much faster.
To make stiffness not a habit, before climbing to the podium, relieve the tension by clenching your fists. Do it only once or twice, otherwise, you will appear in front of the audience with your fists clenched, showing everyone how nervous you are.
If you feel a shiver in your voice when you start talking, try to stay calm and keep the spirit in your voice, because with very little effort and patience, you can turn the tide.
Nervousness in the first few moments of your speech causes words to get stuck in your throat. If you panic, you will lose control and feel even more uncomfortable. Coughing and trying to clear your throat is unpleasant for the ears of your listeners and does not solve the problem. They can only make things worse. If you have problems with your voice during the performance, keep the maximum of calm, breathe equally (of course, that the audience should not notice all this), and your voice is likely to return to normal. If possible, drink some water: this is a real vocal cord balm.